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3.20.2013

Happy Trails

Happy Spring everyone! I mentioned last week about how one of the things I love is trail running and what better time to do it than in the springtime? It is different than road running though. Instead of trying to go fast, you slow down a bit, take in the fresh air and look at the trees. It's out in nature and the surface is more giving and you can hear birds and see four legged creatures (and no legged creatures). There are three things that I like to remember when I am trail running that keep me going and remind me what it's all about.

Home sweet home

Eat:This has a few different meanings. First of all, it's important to eat more during a trail run than a regular one. I am still working on this one myself, but it's important to get in more calories than you normally would. For a typical trail run, I tend to eat about twice as often as I do when I am on a road run. Second, when I am racing, I stop all of the aid stations and take the time to eat a few handfuls of food, instead of trying to do all my fueling while on the run. However, if you are running a race, check to see what the race will have in the way of food, because what you have trained with may not be available. And we all know that you don't want to try something for the first time during a race, especially if it's an Ultra!

Drink: Every time I get to an uphill, I slow down (or walk) and drink. Even when I am only running a few miles, I always carry water with me. Of course, in the woods, there is the added bonus of being able to use the bushes whenever you want, without having to worry about needing a port-a-potty (PS, when I did my last 50k, I did not use the bathroom once!), so drink up! I also finally broke down and got a hydration vest a few weeks ago and I am loving it!

Suggested drinks: I usually only use water, but sometimes I also use Nuun when I feel I need a bit of an extra boost.

Coastal Run

Be Merry: Talk to other people. When you stop at the aid stations during a race, talk to the volunteers. Look at the trees. Stop to take pictures. Trail running is fun! It's hiking at a bit of a quicker pace. You are not really in a hurry, so slow down and enjoy the scenery.

Through the eucalyptus.

Do you hike or trail run? What is your favorite thing about being on the trails?What is your favorite trial snack?

I haven't done much trail running but I hope to do a bit here this summer and fall as we have some great trails in Anchorage and I've only had opportunity to explore a few of them (some of them are not groomed or maintained with regularity in the winter). These are gorgeous photos!

You know, trail running is one type of running I think I could really get in to. I love hiking and I love being in the mountains. We don't have nearly as pretty trails in my area as these, but some of them are really nice. It's almost warm enough and I think the mud is probably dry enough to get back out there.

I don't really trail run, but I love to hike as you know:) It is really my favorite thing to do and I miss it so much. Just being away from everything and seeing all of nature in it's glory is amazing. I love that the most beautiful things sometimes take work to see:) Which means not many people will see what I see. Once the trails dry out a bit and it warms up, I can't wait to hit the trails!

I love trail running. I would be completely OK with never running on the road again. And actually right now I am mostly only running in the trails anyways which is perfect. I just find the runs so much more enjoyable and the time passes quicker for me!

I have ran very few trails so don't have alot of experience with them. And I have to say I kind of prefer road running but feel like I am in the minority being in that camp (at least among the runners I know). I don't know if I am just not zen enough or what? I am not really a stop and smell the roses type so maybe that is part of the reason I don't love trail running? And it makes me feel out of shape, too.... But I think I would like it more if I had better trails around me to run on - like the one you took me on was awesome!

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